"Is it not possible that an individual may be right and a government wrong? Are laws to be enforced simply because they were made? Or declared by any number of men to be good, if they are not good?" David Thoreau
The news has been covering a story lately that has been troubling me in many different ways. George Tiller, referred to as America's most notorious abortionist, was murdered in his church last Sunday. He was called "Tiller the Killer"because of his well-known willingness to perform late-term abortions almost no other doctor in the nation would do. Because of Dr. George Tiller, Wichita became the destination of choice for women seeking late term abortions.
Those of you who know me, know I have some very strong feelings about this issue, and am continuously frustrated that we Baptists are not championing the fight for life as the Catholics are. But that's a different blog for another day. As for now I'm trying to figure out how I'm supposed to feel about this Dr. of death being killed in his church. My first reaction was "wow! he went to church?", and my next feeling was, "well, he got what he deserved". I do not condone people killing abortion doctors. I'm not sure that it would necessarily save lives; those seeking abortions would and will just go somewhere else. But in a strange way I feel like justice has taken place in the case of Tiller. He was unrepentant, promoting the disposal of unwanted children, and personally, violently, killing babies every day he goes to work. He was famous for killing babies during the third trimester of pregnancy, most doctors would not do this because at this point the baby would most probably survive on it's own outside the womb.
So I am stuggling, and trying to sort out how I feel about this whole thing. I have a righteous anger that gets pretty fired up when anyone harms children, babies, or anyone unable to defend themselves. So in the same way that I have no sympathy for the bully who finally gets beat up at school, I'm having a hard time having sympathy for what has happened to Dr. Tiller. Maybe I'm wrong.
5 comments:
i hadn't heard about this. and yeah...what kind of church did he go to?!?
i feel the same way you do. i need to read more about it, but it's horrible that someone felt the need to take it into their own hands. surely God could've killed him off naturally in His own timing. or...then there's always the possibility that God was allowing him to stay alive so that he *would* finally become repentant and turn to God. now that isn't possible. which really is a tragedy. who's to say that he ever would've done that, but still...not our call. having said that though, there is a certain amount of relief to know that at least one baby killer is no longer killing babies. i completely understand your feelings. sad and sickening...the whole thing.
I understand and share your feelings.
Marilyn Johnson
Great Blog Brian....
Dr. Tiller became a victim of the very monster he fed and embraced....... Murder.
The irony is thick in this tragic story..... Dr. Death meets Death as he is acknowledging God on a Sunday morning. Gunned down by a "pro-life" Christian. Very Strange.
I just finished watching "Valkyrie" and was pulling for the hero who would murder Hitler.......
What constitutes justifiable homicide?
Lots to ponder......
hey brian,
i had the same reaction about how he got shot at church. you know my views on abortion, which are even stronger now having children. i have a hard time feeling sorry about dr. tiller as well. the thing that bothers me the most about the whole thing is that it did take place at a church. with the pastor being killed recently it is getting harder and harder for the church cause there is getting to be a sense that it's not a safe place any longer. i also have a hard time with it due to the man being in church and him having no conviction. it just seems to do that kind of work you would have to be so hard of heart. it just makes me wonder if we are being effective in our witness as the church.
Brad Neel at 8:20am June 2
This satirical article says it all for me:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/christ_kills_two_injures_seven_in
Brian Britt at 1:06pm June 2
although provoking, i'm not sure that article settles anyting for me, on one hand the murderer is totally wrong, on the other i would do the same in defense of my family. Is it justifiable homicide? justifiable homicide-- a killing without evil or criminal intent, for which there can be no blame, such as self-defense to protect oneself or to "... Read Moreprotect another". I guess the question may be... was this revenge which is wrong, or was it protection of the unborn, which may be justifiable. I guess it depends on if you really believe the abortionist is a murderer and serial killer.
Brad Neel at 1:25pm June 2
My problem with acts such as these is that ultimately they accomplish nothing but making the situation worse. It doesn't stop abortions: that guy will be replaced by another doctor tomorrow. And it certainly won't change the minds of anyone who is pro-choice; it will only make their opinion stronger. Killing in the name of Jesus accomplishes ... Read Morenothing. It destroys lives and screws up the true message. I hate abortion as much as you do, but I know that simply banning it won't do any good either. Women will get back-alley abortions and America won't be ready for the 3,000-4.000 new babies born every day. The best thing Christians can do is be compassionate, go after peoples' hearts, and adopt as many kids as we can. Being pro-life goes far beyond the womb. Unless every kid born in America can have a decent standard of living, we've failed. I think Jesus is our best example here: He didn't seek to change political policies, but to change lives.
Brian Britt at 2:21pm June 2
i agree with you, I don't think it accomplishes anything as far as the prolife "movement" is concerned. But I feel like the way we are handling the abortion issue in our country is similar to being diplomatic with a rogue nation while innocent people are murdered. at what point do we say "no more"? We have toppled governments for killing fewer. the problem is that most don't consider it murder. most don't value the life of the unborn. most do not have the spines to defend the innocent.
Josh Dyer at 3:37pm June 2
I actually like Obama's reasoning: The Supreme Court is not going to overturn Roe v. Wade in our lifetime, so it would be better to spend our energy at combatting the factors that lead women to make that decision.
I'd start by reducing the first year of high school to 3 things: 1) Personal financial responsibility 2) How to avoid unwanted preganancies (which inevitably relates back to #1) 3) Learning to live with wedgies (after all, you ARE a freshman)
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